New Willie Nelson release on The Best of Pickin

WHRO | By Barry Graham

Published May 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM EDT

Late night Fridays just got a little better with the release of Willie Nelson's "Oh What a Beautiful World" where he covers songs written by Rodney Crowell. The title track was actually released on Crowell's 2013 Tarpaper Sky cd. The release also has a cover of a song co-penned by the late Guy Clark- "Stuff that Works." Also, music from two groups coming to town as a part of the Virginia Arts Festival- The Punch Brothers and the Wood Brothers. And, some hard core traditional tracks from Jim and Jesse McReynolds, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Del McCoury. Throw in some Iris Dement, Jason Isbell, and the Yonder Mountain String Band and, viola! that's one solid Friday night of bluegrass with some awesome alt country for good measure. Tune in for The Best of Pickin. Friday night at 10 on WHRV.

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Barry Graham

Barry Graham used to arrive at WHRO with a briefcase full of papers and lesson plans. For 32 years he taught US and Virginia Government in the Virginia Beach Public Schools. While teaching was always his first love, radio was a close second. While attending Old Dominion, Barry was program director at WODU, the college radio station. After graduating, he came to WHRO as an overnight announcer. Originally intending to stay on only while completing graduate school, he was soon hooked on Public Radio and today is the senior announcer on WHRV. In 2001, Barry earned his Ph.D in Urban Studies by writing a history of WHRO and analyzing its impact upon local education, policy and cultural arts organizations.

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